On the positive side, the latest NSW budget includes an extra A$130 million in funding for Active Kids vouchers, along with A$100 million for regional sport infrastructure and A$100 million for facilities in greater Sydney. Sydney's stadiums debate shows sport might not be the political winner it once was. There was absolutely no way we could find A$1,000 for rego two weeks after Xmas. Australians spend nearly A$11 billion a year on sport and physical activity participation fees, according to the Australian Sports Commission. Children frequently take part in the same physical activities as their parents. On top of this, they were spending A$450 on transport, bringing the total sport participation cost to around A$1,500 per person per season. If the family has a negative attitude towards physical activity, the children are less likely to become involved with sports. Each of these categories cost participants over A$200 a year on average. The biggest expense for respondents in our survey was registration fees levied by sporting organisations. In our survey of 696 people, we found respondents were paying over A$1,100 on average to play a sport each season. Our study showed that around 10% of respondents had borrowed money (not including credit cards) to participate in sports at an average of A$5,000 per person. As has been argued many times before, investment in elite sport does not always drive grassroots participation. But other respondents said costs have been rising for years and government subsidies arent trickling down to many families or local sport clubs: In rural/regional areas, facilities are poor to average. opportunities for qualifications - academic (GCSE), vocational (NVQ), leadership (YST sports leaders) and coaching certificates. Our own newly conducted research shows the impact sports participation fees are having on families in one state New South Wales. The youngest just misses out. Our 'sporting nation' is a myth, so how do we get youngsters back on the field? This will ensure that access to sport does not become a privilege reserved for the social elite and is open and accessible to all. Skiing is often done abroad and so requires travel and accommodation costs. Read more: This allows families to apply for a A$100 voucher each year to offset sports fees for their children. In my area, new sporting facilities are too expensive for the local council to construct without major grants assistance. Only the eldest gets to play sport because of the cost. Sports providers need to be aware of the costs when trying to engage people with lower incomes. Although the NSW government has backed down from its widely criticised plans to spend A$2 billion on a small number of elite stadiums, the revised budget only knocked A$500 million off the total cost. The impact of rising participation costs is being felt in a number of ways. We have a mortgage to pay. This amounted to A$225 a year on average. Thirty-five percent of respondents also reported greater credit card debt due to sport fees. Some social groups have less disposable income so sports and activities which dont cost so much might be more favourable to them. However, at least one of the local clubs will fold due to the ever-increasing costs. Not surprisingly, many people believe these costs are becoming far too expensive. Local councils do not have the funds to adequately improve and refurbish existing facilities. When the family has a habit or routine of being active, and a positive attitude towards sport, the children are more likely to stay active themselves. Running, swimming, football, netball, basketball and rounders can be inexpensive to take part in. As one respondent told us: We have two sons. However, this funding seems insignificant when compared with the A$1.5 billion allocated to the major stadium development projects. Current costs (including registration, club/facility fees, coaching and equipment) for the top 16 organised sports in NSW are shown in the following table: Some NSW respondents believed junior clubs might have increased their fees after the government introduced its Active Kids program earlier this year. Our survey respondents highlighted the cost to hire grounds as a contributing factor in increasing registration costs. Others agree that more needs to be done to reduce cost barriers and increase participation. He argued that elite-level sport leagues should increase their funding for grassroots participation. Yet government funding is still being funnelled into major sport infrastructure projects at a disproportionate rate compared to grassroots funding. My local cricket club is relatively strong and well supported. Rather than increasing funding for elite sport, governments should invest more in subsidies to make sport participation more affordable. Family, education, time and cost in sport, physical development of motor skills and specific techniques, introduction to and experience of a wide range of activities, regular participation through curriculum PE. It is the money left over to be spent on whatever the person needs or wants. The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. For example, a 20 minute workout in the gym might be more suitable than a scheduled 60 minute badminton coaching session. However, for some families, the cost of such involvement is prohibitive. Retired football player and SBS sports analyst Craig Foster recently criticised the rising registration fees for football clubs across the country. Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Financial Planning, Western Sydney University, Senior Lecturer in Sport Management, Western Sydney University. opportunities through extracurricular activities (including links with local sports clubs and recommending students for higher representation or national player pathways), Social groupings and participation in sport - OCR, Home Economics: Food and Nutrition (CCEA). Sixty-five percent of respondents reported that these costs had risen in the past year. Totally unfair, but the fiscal reality. Read more: Some activities are easier to fit into a tight schedule than others. But, again, income levels were a major factor when it came to participation rates. Parents looking after children might not have much free time to take part; people whose working day is made longer by commuting may not find time to be active; shift workers might not be free at the appropriate time. Our 'sporting nation' is a myth, so how do we get youngsters back on the field? Sydney's stadiums debate shows sport might not be the political winner it once was, Executive Director Strategy & Business Development, Research Fellow in Silicon/Graphite Composite Anodes. Equestrian sports need horses, costly equipment and specialised transport. But many people reported additional costs on things like equipment (required to play many sports), coaching and lessons, and uniforms and footwear. Disposable income is money remaining after taxes and other compulsory charges have been deducted. Many golf clubs charge a large membership fee. Schools have a great influence on participation: Greater availability of further education and higher education also improves opportunities for continuing sports participation. Data from our study indicate that participation costs are rising across the board in a variety of sports. As a contrast, many parents become involved in coaching or organising sports activities, or spectating, because their children participate. As one participant noted: A paradox seems evident: as a nation we are encouraged to be involved in sport. rising registration fees for football clubs across the country. Rebates for children are a good start, but more subsidies are needed, particularly discounts or vouchers for larger families, those playing multiple sports and lower-income families. Some experts are warning of a growing grassroots divide between families able to afford junior sport and those who cannot. Nationally, sport participation rates increased slightly for school-aged children (15 years and under) outside school, from 20% in 2016 to 25% in 2017, according to AusPlay data released by the Australian Sports Commission. Many children rely on their family for equipment and travel so this affects their participation and choice of activity. AusPlay data also showed a slight decrease of 4% in adult participation in the 16 main organised sports across Australia from 2016-17. Our tips from experts and exam survivors will help you through. Read about our approach to external linking. Long working hours and a lack of free time affect participation in sport. Participation in physical activity is influenced by social factors such as social groupings, family and friends as well as personal factors such as age, gender, disability and ethnicity. They also often follow the same sports, support the same teams or indulge in friendly family rivalry. Western Sydney University provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU. 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Worryingly, participation costs were also found to be a major barrier for many children wanting to play sport. Sign in, choose your GCSE subjects and see content that's tailored for you. Some social groups have more disposable income which allows them to participate in sports and activities that are more expensive. According to the AusPlay data, high-income families are far more likely to have children in sport programs (84%) compared to low-income families (58%).